Creations was started in 2010 to provide a friendly venue for artists, crafters and designers from the Colchester area to display their work and sell to the public. Sellers are welcomed whether they are new, and looking to sell their work for the first time, or are more experienced. The aim of Creations is to showcase and promote high quality handmade products from talented designers and makers.

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Thursday, 25 November 2010

The first Creations Craft Fayre on Saturday was a great success! Thank you to all the stallholders who filled the hall with their wonderful work - I hope that sellers and customers alike enjoyed the day!

Thursday, 21 October 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I have always loved 'making things' but while my family was still young, space and time limited me to making practical pieces that we needed for the house, like curtains and cushion covers. As the children got older and started to leave home I began to paint and now love working with acrylics on large canvases, mostly land and seascapes. Then more recently a very close friend started a charity in memory of the baby she lost, to raise funds for a new baby heart monitor at our local hospital. I wanted to help but my paintings were too large for my friend to sell so I returned to the sewing machine and started making door hangers and then cushions covers with fabric remnants that I had. I found it to be so enjoyable that I carried on making them for family and friends.

Tell us a bit about what you make...

I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to collecting fabrics, which became worse when I discovered the Silk Mill at Sudbury and the beautiful remnants that they sell. Some pieces are quite sizeable and lend themselves to being made into cushion covers - 'envelope-style' ones are simple to make but the quality of the fabrics make them look quite luxurious. And being made from remnants, most of my cushions are one-offs.

The chicken door-hangers have 'evolved' - I started ambitiously with templates including elephants and rabbits but chickens soon became my favourite as they can be embellished with fancy wings, tail feathers etc. Making heart door-hangers was a simple step-on, and again I love to use beads , buttons and other trimmings to make them extra special.

Tuesday, 5 October 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I have always been a 'crafty' person it all started at school many years ago. When I retired I made cakes, flower arrangements and preserves as that is what I enjoy doing, usually only selling them from home.

Tell us a bit about what you make...

I make cakes - anything from biscuits to wedding cakes, flowers for all occasions and a selection of jams, chutneys and pickles.

Monday, 27 September 2010

All spaces at the Creations Christmas Craft Fayre are now booked! The last two 'Meet the Stallholders' posts will be appearing soon. Sorry to disappoint anyone who was hoping to have a space - I am keeping a waiting list of names so if a space does become available I can let people know. Please do still come along to the fayre as a customer and say hello though!From what I have seen so far, the crafters will have some lovely items for sale. We're hoping that it will be a really great event (and if it's successful I would like to organise more next year and perhaps include some of the crafters I couldn't fit in this time)!

Wednesday, 22 September 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

Even as a child I liked making things for Brownie competitions, and simply fiddling about with fabric at home. Work and taking care of my three children has slowed my projects down a little and in recent years my creativity has been mainly channelled through fancy dress costumes for various school projects and parties. With my youngest now at playgroup I thought I would use some of my spare time to start creating again.

Tell us a bit about what you make...

For this, my first ever craft fair, I have designed and made a range of decorative items to hang in the home, some with a Christmas theme and some to be used all year round. I am also busy creating a range of bunting for the home, garden or even beach hut. I am looking forward to meeting people at the craft fair and getting some feedback on my designs, do come a visit me there.

Monday, 20 September 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

As far back as I can remember I have always been interested in arts and crafts. I used to spend hours drawing and sketching as a child.

I practise my lifelong interest in art in various media. I am trained in bakery and sugar craft and have made a number of wedding cakes, including my own, and other celebration cakes using both the Australian method and more traditional royal icing styles. My decorative methods include painting directly onto the icing as well as constructing 3D models.

I enjoyed cross stitch for many years but painting is now my main art form. I do paint on canvas but wood is my favourite medium with themes inspired by the countryside. I have sold these crafts at a few local craft, school fairs and online with good feedback which has encouraged me to continue.

Tell us a bit about what you make...

In the last few years I have developed an interest in painting on wood. Its texture complements my designs which are often inspired by East Anglian flora and fauna. I hand paint my own designs on wooden items of various sizes, finishing each with a varnish to preserve the work.

Producing art on Birchwood lace bobbins is a new interest. Getting the requisite detail of a fruit, flower, bird or feather onto such a tinysurface is a very challenging proposition. I sell bobbins individually, in pairs or sets of four, usually according to a theme. I am always open to new subject ideas and commissions.

All my work is hand painted. I never use transfers etc. It therefore follows that everthing I make is unique. Even if I were to try to produce two truly identical designs there would be subtle differences between them. Very subtle perhaps, but present nevertheless.

Friday, 17 September 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I have always been quite creative and I first became interested in flowers when my mother did a flower arranging course, which I would often accompany her to.

It wasn't until I hit my 30's that I decided to change my visual merchandising career for floristry. I studied hard at Writtle College for 2 years to gain my professional floristry foundation degree with distinction. I have a passion for flowers and love each season for the variety of flowers and colours they deliver. Summer has to be my favourite with the arrival of peonies, delphiniums, stocks and hydrangeas but roses, in many colours, will always be one of my favourite flowers.

Tell us a bit about what you make...

My work can be varied from bridal bouquets to funerals, but I mainly focus my work on creating bridal flowers and table/ venue decorations for weddings and events throughout Essex. After the wedding season I often spend the winter making table decorations, gifts and wreaths for Christmas.

Thursday, 16 September 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I come from a long line of knitters and from an early age knitted and crocheted. At Christmas I would make something handmade for the grandmas and aunts presents. Then once babies of friends and relatives arrived it would be all systems go for baby blankets, knitted cardigans and 3D name letters!

Tell us a bit about what you make...

For the fayre I will be bringing along Christmas bunting, 3D decorations, crocheted baby blankets and buggy blankets, Aran style cardigans and children's dressing up pirates costumes.

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I have always been crafty since I was a child, my Mum used to make all sorts of things with me and at the age of 7 she taught me to knit and do cross stitch. Cross stitch was the main thing I did until 8 years ago when I was pregnant with my first daughter and I took up card making which I then sold to friends and family. But as the years went by I noticed that there were a lot of people that made their own cards so I decided to find another craft. So a couple of years ago I got into jewellery making. And then last year I really got into beading, another craft my Mum introduced me to! In fact it was because of Mum asking me to look for something on the internet for her that I found the baubles, fell in love with them and decided to give them a go. I decided to start selling just to get back a little bit of what I spend on supplies, and to give my partner's credit card a bit of a rest!

Tell us a bit about what you make...

Mainly I make beaded bauble covers, which are all different shapes and sizes. I also do hair clips, childrens bracelets, earrings, mobile phone/ bag charms and other Christmas decorations. I have lots of ideas so there may be other items on the day. This is the first time I have actually done anything to sell them other than to friends and family. I always try to find something that isn't often seen and am always willing to try new designs.

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I have always loved 'creating' things and was French knitting, making pom poms and knitting from a very early age. I married a Greek man in the early 70's and went to live in a Greek community where all the Greek ladies would sit around crocheting and it was a case of joining them or feeling very left out!

In those days it was table cloths, bed spreads and the like but these days I crochet bags, back packs, scarves and beanies (which I design myself) and jackets, tops and cardigans. About 9 months ago my son-in-law asked me to crochet him a scarf and a beanie, and after he had worn them to work a flood of orders came in from his work mates, and it really took off from then!

Monday, 6 September 2010

Sarah MinerHave you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I have always loved drawing. I originally left school to go to art college and study medical illustration, but the course folded and I ended up with a career in biological sciences. Since having the children I have gone back to my first love of art, as I can fit it around school runs etc! I love the outdoors and walking and just drawing the scenes which inspire me. I realised I should do more with my art when it was received very well at a school Christmas Fayre. My next milestone is to organise a web site to sell online.

Tell us a bit about what you make...

I produce mainly landscapes and seascapes of East Anglia and the Isle of Wight (where I grew up). I use colour pencil, a medium which suits me as it allows fine detail and beautiful colours through layering, although the pictures do take a long time to complete! I sell my work mainly as limited edition Giclee prints, in presentation mounts, sealed and ready to frame, but also take commissions.

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

Yes I've always been crafty. I used to love making cereal box doll's rooms as a child and I have fond memories sitting doing crochet with my nan. I have tried many crafts but since buying a huge kiln have narrowed it down to ceramics and now glass. I have now found the right craft for me and the glass has taken over my kiln, my home and my life!

I started selling things when I needed money to buy more glass. I started selling to my family then the PTA persuaded me to try a stall at Christmas in the school. This went well so my New Year's resolution was to start selling online in 2010. I think the only New Year's resolution in my life not broken by February!

Tell us a bit about what you make...

I make jewellery, mostly pendants out of glass. Pieces of glass are handcut and then layered into a sandwich style lump. The layers can include confetti shards, strings and the fabulous dichroic glass, something originally developed by NASA. The pieces are then heated in a kiln until they 'fuse' together into one mass. The glass is very slowly cooled and finally the kiln is opened - the best bit! The edges round and the pendants have become smooth and very tactile.

I also teach 'Beginners fused glass jewellery workshops' in Great Bromley. They cost £25 for a 2 hour class and the participants create 2 pieces of very wearable fused glass jewellery.

Friday, 20 August 2010

Graham Hunter - StationerHave you always been a 'crafty' person - how did you start making things to sell?

I've always been interested in art - especially painting, but had never really considered making anything myself until fairly recently. I started making cards mainly as a hobby and as a lot of my friends were getting married and having children I gave them cards as gifts - which led to people wanting to buy them for themselves!

Tell us a bit about what you make...

I make various greeting cards and card accessories like gift tags and name cards etc. I also do wedding invites and stationery on a be-spoke basis. Everything I design and make is all done by hand using simple classic materials. I approach my crafting like a bit of a glorified artist really! I'd like to think that the person who receives one of my cards or invites would want to keep it a little longer on their shelf or mantlepiece that a normal store bought card!

Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person, how did you start making things to sell?

I started making my jewellery about 4-5 years ago and I was self taught. I gradually learnt the different designs over this period until I was confident enough to sell them when I thought the quality was up to a professional standard I wanted. It's just a hobby but I need to sell some of my work just to get the money back for the beads and materials I use. I sell my items at very competitive prices, this gives everyone a chance to buy something and I hope remind them of my work.

Tell us a bit about what you make...

I make a wide range of different items from beaded rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces and these are my own designs that are different from the normal jewellery that is sold.

Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Have you always been a 'crafty' person, how did you start making things to sell?

I've always been a 'crafty' person, I used to do a lot of woodwork and guilding, but it wasn't until I found glass that I really found the medium that was 'the one' for me! It didn't take long before I had more beads and marbles than I could ever need, so I started offering a few to see if other people would be interested, and it snowballed from there!

Tell us a bit about what you make...

I use a process called 'lampworking' (also called flameworking) where I melt glass directly in a flame to shape it. Sometimes, for beads, the molten glass is wound onto a steel rod, but I prefer more free-hand work these days. That way I can make more organic shapes, such as my nebula pendants. I also make a lot of marbles which I love putting designs into. They can take anything from 35 minutes to an hour and half depending on how complex they are, and offers a unique challenge to pack as much detial into such a small area. Also I like the 3D quality, it really is a medium unlike any other that I've ever explored.

Thursday, 29 July 2010

Hazel Fisher from Hazel Fisher CreationsHave you always been a crafty person - if not how did you start making things to sell?I've never stopped drawing and making things since I was very small and I don't think that I ever really considered wanting to be anything other than an artist! In 2008 I graduated with a BA(Hons) in Illustration and since then I have been working on my illustrations and other handmade items to sell both online and at craft fayres.

Tell us a bit about what you make...My illustrations are mainly made using watercolours, but I also use pencil, ink, acrylic and digital painting. I enjoy working on a range of subjects but especially love to draw animals and illustrate my fictional town called Hexley. Hexley's populated by Victorian ladies and gentlemen, clockwork birds and steam powered dirigibles!I also use my artwork to make greeting cards, bookmarks, stickers and magnets.Alongside my art I also sell handmade greeting cards and crafting supplies - having always been a 'crafty' person I love to make all sorts of things!

Tuesday, 27 July 2010

Yesterday I went to the Orpen Hall to organise the tables for the fayre. There are two sizes of table available:

6 foot long (approx. 72"x24") - £10 each

4 foot long (approx. 48"x27") - £8 each

There is space for a total of about 14 crafters.

All the details have now been written up with a short application form ready to send to anyone interested in having a stall. I will also be putting up posters calling for crafters - if you're interested in having a stall please let me know!

Saturday, 24 July 2010

Hello and welcome to the Creations craft fayre blog!I have been attending craft fayres selling my art work and handmade items for a little over a year now, I really enjoy attending the events as it's a great opportunity to meet other artists/ crafters and the public! However, it's not always easy to find local events to attend so I thought I would have a go at organising my own event in the village where I live; West Bergholt.

My aim for Creations is to provide an event for local artists and crafters to display and sell their work and to give the public the opportunity to buy quality handmade items - a place to find something unique compared to the mass produced items on the High Street.

The first Creations craft fayre will be held on Saturday 20th November 2010 from 10am to 4pm at the Orpen Memorial Hall, West Bergholt. West Bergholt is a large rural village on the border of Essex and Suffolk and is just a few miles north-west of Colchester. There is ample parking at the hall and the 66 bus from Colchester stops just outside.